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During his seven-year tenure, due to end later this month, Thomas evolved the role of Information Commissioner from data protection to being an official protector of personal information.

In 2003, Thomas oversaw the enactment into law of the Privacy and Electronic Communications Directive, a core tenet of which was the requirement for a 'soft opt-in' for email marketing.

"I am delighted to accept this honour," Thomas said in a statement. "It is testimony to the efforts of all those who protect personal privacy and promote freedom of information.

"I am proud to have championed openness and transparency, and I am delighted to have been able to bring home the importance of data protection," he added.

There is speculation that Thomas' forthright remarks on the Government's own attitude to data security meant that he has received recognition at a lower level than the holder of such a high-profile public-sector position might have expected.

"Personally I was a bit surprised he didn't get a knighthood given the excellent job he has done and some others who now have to be called 'Sir'," said Stephen Groom, Head of Marketing and Privacy Law at solicitors Osborne Clarke.

Adopting the mantle of personal data protector put Thomas at odds against public sector departments who showed lax secure control over public data. Thomas was openly critical of the state’s treatment of data, particularly the loss of data in the past two years by the Ministry of Defence, HM Revenue and Customs and other government departments.

Some in the DM industry are critical of Thomas for failing to address this. "[Richard Thomas] has failed to punish those that have made significant data blunders yet has added a significant burden to those businesses that have tried to act within the law and install good data practices," said Iain Lovatt, executive chairman of Blue Sheep. "He has frightened not only the consumer but also responsible businesses so they are now over anxious and acting as if everything they do can land the business with an unlimited fine."

Thomas warned the Government of the risk to individual privacy posed by creating a central database on personal information for the national ID card.

In 2004 Thomas told The Times that the UK was "sleepwalking into a surveillance society" because of government plans for identity cards and a population register.

Two years ago Thomas ruled that politicians’ spending should be published after a Freedom of Information request for the details was originally rejected by the Government, but is alleged to have backed down.

Former Advertising Standards Authority chief executive Christopher Graham will succeed Thomas on 29 June.